ATLANTA – Saturday’s international friendly between Belgium and the United States in Atlanta was notable for more than just on-field play. A striking similarity between the teams’ kits led to widespread confusion among fans and even players, with reports emerging that the US team briefly considered sending for alternate jerseys during the match. The incident highlights a pre-game miscommunication regarding uniform choices and sparked debate over who bears responsibility for the visual clash.
The issue stemmed from the US men’s national team’s insistence on wearing their white and red home kit, despite Belgium’s scheduled appearance in their fresh Magritte-inspired away jerseys – also featuring a predominantly white base with red accents. The resemblance was so close that during television broadcasts, differentiating between the two sides proved difficult, and social media quickly lit up with complaints from viewers. Even Belgian star Jeremy Doku admitted to struggling to tell the teams apart. “I had to look twice,” Doku said, according to VTM. “It wasn’t easy to see the difference.”
According to the Belgian Football Association, the issue originated with the US team’s preference. “They absolutely wanted to play in their home kit,” a spokesperson for the Belgian FA explained, as reported by Sporza. “Even if we had played in our red shirts, the contrast wouldn’t have been good.” The US team does possess a dark blue alternate kit, but ultimately stood firm on their decision to wear the white and red combination.
The confusion wasn’t merely a visual annoyance. Reports indicate that during the match itself, discussions took place about potential solutions. According to Nieuwsblad.be, the possibility of the US team sending someone back to the team hotel to retrieve their alternate jerseys was even considered. However, the logistical challenges proved insurmountable, and the teams ultimately finished the match in the visually similar kits.
The incident has drawn criticism from some observers. Marc Degryse, a commentator, reportedly placed the blame squarely on the US team, stating, “This simply cannot happen,” according to HLN. Others have questioned the oversight in allowing such a clash to occur in the first place, with De Standaard reporting that “whoever approved this has messed it up.”
The new Belgium away kit, the source of the confusion, is available for purchase through the RBFA shop (RBFA Shop), with prices reaching up to 170 euros. The incident has also brought renewed attention to the market for counterfeit football shirts.
Beyond the aesthetic issues, the kit clash raises questions about pre-match coordination between teams and governing bodies. While the US team’s desire to play in their home kit was respected, the potential for confusion should have been addressed proactively. This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and careful planning to avoid such disruptions in future international matches.
The friendly concluded with a scoreline that was secondary to the visual drama unfolding on the pitch. The focus now shifts for both teams to their upcoming fixtures. Belgium will look to put the kit controversy behind them as they prepare for their next challenge, while the US team will aim to avoid similar pre-match issues in future appearances.
What’s Next: Belgium is scheduled to continue their preparations for upcoming Euro 2028 qualifying matches. The US men’s national team will participate in the Copa America tournament this summer.
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